Sometimes, the staff at Graphic Policy read more comics than we’re able to get reviewed. When that happens you’ll see a weekly feature compiling short reviews from the staff of the comics, or graphic novels, we just didn’t get a chance to write a full review for.

These are Graphic Policy’s Mini Reviews.

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Shean

Dead Man Logan#1 (Marvel)* – We find Logan dying as he searches for Mysterious. We also find Miss Sinister working against him as she is two steps ahead. By issue’s end, we see an old enemy has reemerged and it’s up to Logan to stop them. Overall: 9.0 Recommendation: Buy

Ryan C

Heroes In Crisis #3 (DC Comics)** – Tom King is doing his “Tom King Thing” here — all stilted dialogue, “jump-cut” scenes out of chronological order, other easily-spotted script gimmicks — but at least the Lee Weeks guest art is nice. Regular artist Clay Mann does the first and last pages, and while they look fine, they point to the essential flaw in today’s “assembly-line” comics, namely : even with a mini-series, deadline crunches ensure that no smoothly self-contained visual “flow” is possible. Things here appear headed in a very uninspiring direction, indeed. Overall: 5.0 Recommendation: Pass

Books Of Magic #2 (DC Comics/Vertigo)** – Tim Hunter gets chased around by some entities, and that’s about it. Tom Fowler’s art is nice enough, if bland, but there’s no excusing the laziness of Kat Howard’s script. Two issues in, this feels like a series where the writer isn’t even especially trying. Overall: 1.0 Recommendation: Pass

Come Into Me #4 (Black Mask Studio)** – The long production delays this mini-series suffered didn’t help matters much, but even leaving those “off the table,” this body-horror story comes to a flat, predictable conclusion. Zac Thompson and Lonnie Nadler do a lot of good work, but they never seemed to throw their full creative weight into this one, so it’s just as well that Piotr Kowalski’s always-exceptional art at least made each issue worth looking at. That’s about all you can say in its favor, though. Overall: 4.0 Recommendation: Pass

House Amok #3 (IDW/Black Crown)** – Another “up” in this “up-and-down” conspiratorial horror series sees writer Christopher Sebela rebound nicely from a lackluster second issue and set things up for what could/should be a pretty solid conclusion next month. Shawn McManus’ art has been strong throughout, and that continues here, so in the final analysis maybe the previous installment will just prove to be a little bump on an otherwise-superb ride. Overall: 8.0 Recommendation: Buy

 

Mr. H

Daredevil #612 (Marvel)* – Well here we are true believers. The last stop for ol Hornhead. Daredevil might have been enjoying a renaissance via his Netflix show (which season 3 is the best, come at me bro) but his comic books have always ranged from pretty good to genius. This latest run from Charles Soule is definitely one for the genius pile. Matt and his cohorts have been trying to take down Mayor Kingpin and a story line which has allusions to real life electoral issues, it is a damn fine comic yarn being spun here. Matt has been tormented recently by a new enemy known as Vigil. Vigil seems to be able to counteract everything Matt can do and finally here you see why. It’s a touching issue with guest stars galore and tie up moments. Phil Noto gives us some wonderful art here as we traipse away through the pages. Of course we get the obligatory superhero show down but it is the quieter moments and characterization that really shines here. The portrayal of Fisk on the witness stand and his unraveling is spot on. Yes there’s even a Karen Page reunion that was solicited. This comic does so well and hits all the feels for this merry Marvel maniac. While I wish they would take some time off from the Daredevil title. I’m looking forward to the new crew and what comes next. Overall: if you like Daredevil get this book. It is a wonderful end for now. Score: 9.5 Recommendation: Buy it. I’m still getting it though.

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Well, there you have it, folks. The reviews we didn’t quite get a chance to write. See you next week!

Please note that with some of the above comics, Graphic Policy was provided FREE copies for review. Where we purchased the comics, you’ll see an asterisk (*). If you don’t see that, you can infer the comic was a review copy. In cases where we were provided a review copy and we also purchased the comic you’ll see two asterisks (**).